SENIORS

On Saturday we faced the Top of the table Bentleigh on their home deck. I am not sure on the history, but it may be the 1st ever clash against these two sides in VAFA past as the Old Mate DB has never played them, and he has been at the club almost as long as Pav.

It was surely going to be a huge test for Powerhouse after a massive loss against St Mary’s the previous week, and some notable absences to our line up. Spider, Sladds, Lucas, Moz and Wal made way for the Irishman Brian Kyne who is distinctly resembling Adam Goodes, DJ Wold recovering from a minor string injury, Coops who just could not get out of bed last week due to arthritis and old age, “Billy” Baxter for his first game for the club after some stellar performances in the two’s across half back, and Wardey who has been rewarded for his excellent form and hardness at the footy. Yes, I will take that as a terrible play on words.

Although depleted, the playing group were determined to put in a 4 QTR effort and get the season back on track. There was no reaching for the panic button just yet, but we understood that a greater commitment was required, and that we needed to start to be a football club. There was a good feeling pre-match with all players looking focused and prepared very well with a nice solid warm up. The voice was very good and the group was up and about. Not that we needed any extra motivation, but some stern words from Coops as we were exiting the rooms just added enough fuel to the fire.

We were greeted with a lush ground, with a strong breeze pushing across the ground, but favouring the Arthur street end. Our starts had been horrendous thus far, and kicking into the wind in the first, the House needed to change the trend and put enormous pressure on Bentleigh, and keep in touch at QTR time. The first major went to the home side, but you could see that they did not have it all their own way. Powerhouse applied enormous pressure on the ball carrier, and were running hard to create chances. This led us to boot 3 majors into the breeze, and restricting Bentleigh to 5. With Burna using soft hands in the ruck, it allowed Sos, Jake and Bakes a chance to get in and under and provide our runners with plenty of the ball. At QTR time, although behind on the scoresheet, the House had a slight advantage.

The team was focused and much happier with the start. In the second, we upped the anti and put through 4 majors to nil. We were running Bentleigh into the ground and not giving them any space. Edo and Moresi were sensational down back without the Old Mate who went off injured, and requiring a lot more Metzel to those Old Legs of his, with Edo giving Sharp an absolute towelling. Billy, Owey and Benny White were running the ball out with ease, and the on ball brigade continued to dig deep and give our forwards a chance. At the half, the House had opened up a 10 point lead, and giving the ladder leaders plenty to think about.

The 3rd QTR was a sea-sawing affair with 4 goals apiece. It was tough going for both sides with plenty of fierce tackling and both sides were doing their upmost to apply some scoreboard pressure. Powerhouse were very solid with contribution coming from all players. Warde did a great job off the bench, and Franky was sensational, creating a lot of run through the corridor. To remain 10 points up at 3QTR time was a fantastic effort. The House just needed to finish off their good work, and apply scoreboard pressure to kill off the opposition.

The start of the last was not great for Powerhouse with big Burnside going down in the 1st ruck contest. However, the boys dug deep and used their footy smarts. With the breeze pushing across the ground, we played the dead side for the remainder of the game. This frustrated Bentleigh as they were not able to get any drive into their forward line. Frank was still creating, and Bakesy was repelling every forward thrust from Bentleigh with great running in the midfield. With constant pressure, the House was good enough to get the ball inside forward 50, which gave Disco, Tayles and ACE chances at goal. Almost single handedly, ACE won the game for the house with 3 last QTR goals. The siren was greeted with great joy as the last QTR went for an eternity.

The boys sung the song loud, and it was great to finally put in a consistent performance. Well done to all the players. Now we have to put that behind, and get on with the next challenge against West Brunswick at home. We have had a very tough draw thus far, and to be 3 & 2 is a good effort, but there is more hard work to do.

On a side note, we wish Dave Burnside all the very best. He was operated on Saturday night as he had a Perforated Bowell. We will miss the big fella in the ruck, but I am sure that if everyone lifts that extra couple of percent, we will cover for him just nicely. Get well soon mate.

RESERVES

Bentleigh Recreation Reserve was the venue where an unbeaten Bentleigh took on a Powerhouse reserves side which had suffered its first defeat in the previous round.  The ground was in perfect nick and apart for a strong breeze which was blowing across the oval and not a major advantage to ether side conditions were ideal for footy 

Due to a number of injuries and lack of availability the teamsheet showed a number of changes from the previous 4 weeks.  There was no compromise on quality though as the vastly experienced  Scotty McRae, Mick Verberne and Al Contraras all pulled on  the powerhouse jumper for their first of hopefully many outings of the year.  Chad Goette was a late drop out which meant that swine flu victim Rocket Marshall had to put his sickness to one side and take to the oval to make up the list of 22.

For the second week in a row the powerhouse defence was put under immediate pressure.  They held up well though with Paddy Arnold playing his 99th game for the club doing some stellar work to quell the early pressure.  Mickey V was also pulling his weight, intercepting well from his half back flank position.  A few mistakes started to creep into the powerhouse game though and these cost the boys dearly as Bentleigh capatialised with a few well taken set shots.  Scotty McRae was working hard in the middle and his composure on the footy led to a few useful powerhouse attacks. Unfortunately during one of these attacks the house lost their main target in Dave Maloney who had to leave the oval requiring stitches.  Moments later there was another crucial blow in store with the ever courageous Sammy Watson landing awkwardly and hitting his head off the ground.  The ground proved to be a bit tougher than Sammy on this occasion and his day was cut short due to concussion.  The boys vowed to dig deep and put in an extra effort for their mates who had left the pitch and Steve Batten registered the first major on the powerhouse side of the scoreboard.

The second quarter turned into a bit of a rout with Bentleigh clocking up 5 goals to the houses one behind.  Paddy Arnold continued to attack the footy in the same manner he attacks his post game beers.  Dave Welch in his second game for the club was showing great leadership qualities in organising the troops at the stoppages and his voice and encouragment was to be heard around the ground all day.  The scoreboard didnt paint a pretty picture at half time reading  8-11 to 1-3.

A few words of encouragment from the coach at half time seemed to lift the boys for the third quarter.   They fought hard but eventually ran out of puff and despite some great efforts an even more lopsided scoreboard read 12.19 to 1.3 at the conclusion of the quarter.  Mickey V did see plenty of the footy when he switched to a roving position in this quarter and showed he has plenty to offer the club even if he does think that he has retired! The irish duo of James Makan and Gerry (Mr T ) were showing how well they have adapted to the foreign game. Another of the new recruits Peter Henshaw was also doing his bit and will be an exciting prospect when he eventually gets to play alongside a fully fit Marty Leahy.

There wasnt much at stake by the time the game entered its final term except for a small matter of pride.  This is what the coach asked for and the players responded.  Aoran Miller was leading by example taking a couple brave marks throughout the quarter.  Mickey V continued to find the footy and started bombing it long which led to a few goals for the house.  Gerry Cleary was also getting his hands on the pill and set up a nice goal for his name sake Gerry T, which was his second of the day. Unfortunatly Bentleigh were doing enough to keep these goals balanced on the other end of the ground.  Overall it was a disappointing day for the reserves but the pain was eased for those who hung around to witness a suberb display by the seniors to take home maximum points.  Focus now switches to Round 6 where the house entertain West Brunswick.

Final Score Bentleigh 16.21-117 Powerhouse 4.3-27